Oversight panel for Fullerton police in works

FULLERTON – Public input into the hiring and training of officers, the Police Department's policy and perhaps even into implementing discipline could soon be among the roles of an independent oversight committee.

Such oversight was among dozens of recommendations by an outside investigator hired to probe the department after the 2011 death of mentally-ill transient Kelly Thomas at the hands of officers. The investigator delivered his final report to the City Council in May.

Guidelines crafted by acting Chief Dan Hughes for a Chief's Advisory Board include gathering 12 to 20 volunteers representing a cross-section of the city.

The framework for the advisory board will likely be presented to the City Council in March, said City Manager Joe Felz, who has overseen the process and collaborated with the city attorney.

"What you want is for it to be meaningful and have substance," Felz said.

Panel members, initially chosen by the city manager and police chief, could come from the business and legal communities, school districts, mental-health and religious groups and the media, Hughes said.

While the panel members would provide input, they would not have decision-making power, Hughes said: "I don't see them as having authority as much as I see them as having influence."

Felz also envisions audits of the Police Department from an outside agency on regular intervals or a case-by-case basis.

At least one citizens group has also been demanding independent oversight of the police, but sees its panel having a bit more power than Hughes' advisory board.

A group led in part by former City Council candidate Jane Rands has called for a civilian police oversight commission – with up to nine members and the ability to handle complaints, investigate in-custody deaths, subpoena witnesses and recommend discipline.

Rands wasn't sure of the costs involved to maintain the committee, but said it could save money by staving off potential lawsuits against the department. The council could establish qualifications and then would be able to appoint members to the board, she said.

"It needs to be a body that we can hold accountable," she said. "What we want are people on this board that community members can trust."